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One of the newest
countries in the world, but with a civilization which is as old
as history itself. The Indus Valley Civilization centres of Moenjodaro
and Harappa are both located in Pakistan. The first inhabitants
have been recorded to have been roaming the woodland south of Islamabad
as early as 10 millions years. The well known influences include
that of Gandhara, the armies of Darius the Great, Alexander the
Great in 327BC, the Bacterian Greeks, Islam and later the British.
Pakistan thus offers a study into the history of mankind, of archaeology
and offers majestic scenery that few countries can even get close.
Pakistan houses the cluster of mountains-over a third of the world’s
hundred highest mountains are located in the Northern Areas.
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BAHAWALPUR
A small
oasis in the beautiful Cholistan Desert. It is an area where feudalism
is still prevalent in the every day life styles of the people. Our
tour, besides the village settlement, includes the traditional Sadiq
Garh Palace and the traditional Sadiq Garh Palace and the majestic
Noor Mahal. Bahawalpur is noted for its delicate pottery and exquisite
embroidery. Evening we are free to meet local folks including the
local chieftains, known as Nawabs. |
BHURBAN
Located
a short distance from Islamabad, Bhurban has become a very Popular
retreat. It is located amongst towering peaks of the Himalayan Mountains
and offers a splendour that few areas can surpass. The resort also
offers a lot of activities including walking amongst villages and
hilly terrain. |
CHILAS
A halting
place on the Karakoram Highway located alongside the mighty Indus
River. Chilas also offers the recently discovered rock carvings
dating back to the 1st Century BC. |
CHITRAL
Chitral
is the main town surrounded by the mighty Hinduskush region. It
is located in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The
one street town is best seen by walking through the bazaars and
meeting the people. A tour of Chitral starts with the Shah Mosque,
a beautiful white structure built by the former rulers. Nearby is
the historic Fort of Chitral where a small contingent of the British
Army was besieged for almost thirty days. From the fort is an awe
inspiring view of Trich Mir Mountain with the Chitral River flowing
nearby. The winding street of the Chitral Bazaar is famous for household
objects, antiques and handicrafts obtained from the remote valleys. |
CHITRAL
(KALASH VALLEY)
Chitral
is most famous for the Kalash people who inhabit the southwestern
part of the region. The "Kalash Country" is spread over
three valleys: Bonboret, Birir and Rambur. Kalash have fascinated
anthropologists and historians by their obscure origins, colourful
festivals, curious customs & rituals. We visit the valley of
Birir, where there is a settlement of the Kaash community. Guru,
the main village, is perched on a hillside as if glued to the steep
slope. We meet women in their long back robes and their attractive
headgear; skill fully made entirely of cowry shells and buttons. |
DALBANDIN
A small
desert town in Baluchistan that we use as a halting place en route
Iran and Pakistan. |
GILGIT
A popular
staging post on the Silk Road, Gilgit sits at the foot of the mighty
Karakoram. It has seen invasions from many people al leaving their
traits that today form part of the local culture and lifestyle.
Amongst the major invasions include the fire worshippers of Persia,
the Aryans who introduced an incipient form of Hinduism, the Buddhists
and the British. Our tour of Gilgit includes a local mountain school,
a Gilgiton home, the typical Silk Road bazaar and the impressive
rock carvings of Lord Buddha near Kargah. If we are lucky we may
be treated to a game of polo! |
HARAPPA
This is
one of the main sites of the Indus Valley Civilization. It was an
important settlement of 3rd millennium BC that stands
witness to the 5000-year old cultural continuity of civilisation
in Pakistan. Harappa was the cradle of one of the earliest civilizations
known to man and conjures up images of fifty centuries ago, a about
which very little is known. Our tour of the archaeological site
will also include the small, but well maintained Harappa Museum. |
HUNZA
VALLEY & KARIMABAD
The last
living Shangri-La immortalised by the book `Lost Horizon’ by James
Hilton, Hunza has seen much of history yet it offers tranquillity
and peace, of serenity in the mountains as well as in the people.
Kwon for their longevity, the Hunzkuts are very friendly people-most
of whom are followers of the Aga Khan. Our tour of Karimabad includes
the Tibetan style Baltit and the 900 years old Altit Fort. We will
also visit a home of the Hunzakuts and walk through the one street
tow of Karimabad. Walking through the valley we observe their irrigation
system on a very challenging and difficult terrain. |
KARACHI
Pakistan’s
largest city. Our tour includes Dhobi Ghat, an incredible outdoor
laundry stretching as far as the eye can see, the National Museum,
Bohri Bazaar and the tomb of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founding father
of Pakistan. Built entirely of white marble, the mausoleum has an
impressive dome with a huge crystal chandelier of Chinese origin. |
KHYBER
PASS
This is
like walking back into history with a visit to the Khyber Pass,
which has been a silent witness to countless great events. Conquered
by the Greeks,. Ruled by the Buddhists, destroyed by the Huns, rebuilt
by the Brahmins and invaded by the great Moghuls, it is also reputed
that the army of Alexander the Great of Macedonia crossed this pass
in 327 BC. Our visit to the Khyber Pass will take us up to the last
accessible point from where we can see the Afghan border. A trip
to the Khyber is a memorable encounter with the Pathans. |
LAHORE
The cultural
hub of all the rulers in this region including the Moghuls, British
and now Pakistan. Our day in Lahore starts with a visit to the Imperial
and magnificent Badashahi Mosque. Built in 1674, it is an example
of some of the most aesthetic Moghul architecture. Next is the Lahore
Fort where we also see several pavilions, including Shish Mahal,
the "Palace of Mirrors", which was built by Shah Jahan
in 1631 as private apartments for his empress. Later we visit for
famous statue of the Fasting Buddha and Kim’s Gu, immortalised by
Rudyard Kipling. The tour culminates with the sensational Shalimar
Gardens. |
MOENJODARO
The premier
site of the Indus Valley civilization, Moenjodrao (Mount of the
Dead) thrived from 3000 to 1700 Bc. It was contemporary to ancient
Egypt and Mesopotamia. What little we know of this vibrant culture
of the Indus Valley Civilisations, comes from the work done at Moenjodaro
and Harappa. The architecture is unusual and alien. The city was
planned with wide avenues and streets set in square or rectangular
blocks, with an elaborate and effective system of waste drainage,
which has excited much interest. We visit the many sites of this
UNESCO preserved world Heritage Site including the Museum. |
MULTAN
One of
the oldest living cities in the sub continent, Multan was also the
first Sufi centre. Our tour takes us to the Old Fort of Multan which
houses eloquent and elaborately decorated shrines of well known
Sufis Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakaria, Shah Shams-ud-Din Sabzwari and
the marvel of Islamic architecture – the tomb of Shah Rukn-I-Alam.
Multan survived the destruction of invaders like Alexander the Great
in the 4th century BC. |
MURREE
A beautiful
mountain resort at 2,240 meters (7,400 feet) above sea level located
close to Islamabad. The people here claim descent from the uncle
of the Prophet Muhammad. During the British times, the hill station
was converted into a mini England with its own parks, churches,
schools, clubs and cafes. Our tour of Murree will include visiting
both the local as well as the mini England sections and various
photogenic spots. The hills of Murree are clad with snow for the
better part of the year. |
QUETTA
The civilization
of Baluchistan predates the Greco-Roman, and Nile civilizations.
Going back to 3500 BC, Baluchistan has been witness to countless
invasions and retains the charm of pastoral peace. Quetta offers
a look of people who still cling to their traditions in dressing
and hospitality. We also visit the calm blue waters of the Hanna
Lake with its riotous profusion of the tropical flowers all around.
A few miles further is the Urak Valley with acres of vineyards and
orchards where apples, grapes, peaches, apricot and cherries grow
in abundance. |
SEHWAN
SHARIFF
The oldest
occupied town in Sind, it is the resting-place of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
– one of the greatest Sufi saints in the sub continent. Life here
revolves around the Shrine. Our tour of this Sufi town offers a
very serene atmosphere. |
SUKKUR
Sukkur
offers a setting of Sind in its originality and our tour includes
the Faiz Mahal and the Mohana boat people, who live in their boats
or in temporary thatched huts along the shore. There are some beautiful
examples of tile work at some of the tombs and shrines in Sukkur,
and, ofcourse, a lively and interesting market place. |
SWAT
(SAIDU SHARIFF AND MINGORA)
The enchanting
Swat Valley is a site that cannot be fully described by words. It
is the gateway to the Himalayan Mountains and offers breathtaking
scenery. Our tour of Saidu Shariff the capital of Swat Valley includes
the small but well preserved Swat Museum, the palace at Margazar
and Mingora is known for its very colourful bazaar and hospitable
people. |
TAKHT-I-BAHI
& CHARSADDA
The magnificent
ancient Buddhist monastery is located on the route to Swat. Takht-I-Bahi
dates back to 1st to 7th century AD. It is
the most impressive and complete Buddhist Monastery in Pakistan.
Our tour here includes the court of stupas, monastery court, main
stupa, assembly court, chapel and vaulted chambers. Charsadda is
where the ruins of the Lotus City of Pushkalavati, capital of Gandhara
under Achaemenians, Mauryans, Bactrian Greeks and Kushans, from
6th Century BC until the Kushans moved to Peshawar in
2nd Century AD. |
TAXILA
The archaeological
treasure of the subcontinent, Taxila was once an important city
of the Kingdom of Gandhara. Relics from 516 BC to 600 AD it offers
a well-preserved museum. Our visit here includes Bhir Mound – the
first city of Taila, the oldest stupa called Dharmarajika, Sirkap
City ad Jaulian Stupa and Monastry. |
UCH
SHARIFF
A very
important Sufi centre where exquisite Sufi shrines are all well
worth a visit. Our tour of this town will include the Shrine and
Mausoleum of Jalaludin Surkh Bukhara, Shrine of Jalaludin Bukhari
and Mausoleum of Bibi Jawindi. Uch Shariff demands an overnight
to experience the Thursday night congregation at Sufi shrines, but
unfortunately the town lacks decent accommodation. |